Filling apparatus for electrolytic cells



J. H. FISCHER. FILLING APPARATUS FOR ELECTROLYTIC CELLS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.8. 1919.

1,353,332. A PatentedSept- 21,1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

JbSEP/r H. 27:50-05) l. H. FISCHER.

FILLING APPARATUS FOR ELECTROLYTIC CELLS.

APPLICATION FILED 0150.8. 1919.

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were eras PATENT JOSEPH H. FISCHER, 0F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

FILLING APPARATUS FOR ELECTROLYTIC CELLS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 21, 1920.

Application filed December 8, 1919. Serial No. 343,419.

a citizen of the United States, residing at Milwaukee, Milwaukee county, and State of Wisconsin, have invented a new and useful Improvement Comprising the Filling Apparatus for Electrolytic Cells, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to electrolytic cells and is particularly applicable to the cells used in the electrolytic production of oxygen. In these cells its constituent atoms and the oxygen and hydrogen are collected. These cells thereore consume water and it is necessary to supply them with a sufiicient amount of distilled water to make up for the water consumed.

An object of my invention is to provide automatic means for keeping these cells filled to the proper level.

Further objects and advantages will be made evident hereinafter. 1

Referring to the drawings which are for illustrative purposes only,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a battery in such cells.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of same.

Fig. 3 is a similar view with certain of the apparatus removed to better illustrate the method of construction.

Fig. 4 is a section through one of the purgers.

In the form of my invention illustrated four cells 11 are provided, these cells being similarly constructed and being of any well known form. They are provided with oxygen pipes 12 and hydrogen pipes 13 which deliver the gases into purgers 19 through pipes 14 which extend up under a hood 15 the pipes 14 being perforated at 16. Distilled water is maintained in these purgers up to the level 17-17, the hood 15' extending below this level. The water is discharged through a pipe 18 and is admitted to the purgers through pipes 20 which connect into the bottom of drip cups 21. The drip cups 21 are fed with distilled water through drip nozzles 22 which connect to a distilled water supply pipe 23. The supply pipe 23 is provided with a valve 24 which is operated through a chain 25 and sprockets 26 and 27 by means of an arm 28 which is connected to and actuated by a float 29 carried in an equalizing tank 30, Each of the water is broken up into;

pipes 18 is connected through a cavity 31 with a pipe 32 all of the pipes 32 being connected to a common pipe 33 which discharges 1nto the top of the equalizing tank 30. The bottom of this equalizing tank is connected to pipes 35 which are connected by means of pipes 36 with the bottom of the cells 11. Oxygen is delivered through the p1pes 40 from the top of the purgers to oxygen pipe 41 and hydrogen is delivered through pipes 42 from the top of the purgers to hydrogen pipe 43.

. The method of operation of my invention is as follows The cells being initially filled and some gas pressure being maintained thereon the Water level in the equalizing tank 30 is sufficient to lift the float 29 and entirely close the valve 24. As the water is consumed the gases pass upwardly through the pipes 12 and 13 and through the purgers to the pipes 41 and 43..

As soon as sufficient Waterhas been consumed the float 29 falls opening the valve 24 and supplying water to the drip nozzles 22. These drip nozzles discharge into the cups 21 and the water flows through the pipes 20 into the purgers. As soon as the level in any purger rises above the top of the pipe 18 the excess. liquid is forced by the gas pressure through the cavity 31 and the pipes 32 into the pipes 33, this excess liquid being delivered into the equalizing tank. The liquid continues to flow into the equalizing tank and from the equalizing tank into the cells until the water consumed has been replaced at which time the float 29 will be lifted and'the valve 24 will be closed.

I claim as my invention 1. A filling apparatus for electrolytic cells comprising an equalizing tank; a float in said tank; a liquid supply pipe; a valve in said liquid supply pipe; means by which said float opens said valve whenever the supply of liquid in said equalizing tank falls below a predetermined value; a plurality of electrolytic cells each in open communication with said equalizing tank; and means for passing liquid from said liquid supply pipe into said equalizing tank.

2. A filling apparatus for electrolytic cells comprising an equalizing tank; a float in said tank; a liquid supply pipe; a valve in said liquid supply pipe; means by which said float opens said valve whenever the supply of liquid in said equalizing tank falls below a predetermined Value; a plurality of electrolytic cells each in open communication with said equalizi ng tank; a purger for each of said cells thrdugh which the gases generated must pass; means for passing liquid from said liquid supply pipe to each of said purgers; and overflow means by which any excess of liquid in any of said purgers is delivered to said equalizing tank.

3. A filling apparatus for electrolytic cells comprising an equalizing tank; a float in said tank; a liquid supply pipe; a valve in said. liquid supply pipe; means by which said float opens said valve whenever the supply of liquid in said equalizing tank falls below a predetermined value; a plurality of electrolytic cells each in open communication with said equalizing tank; a purger for each ofsaid cells through which the gases generated must pass; drip cups in open communication with said purgers; means for dividing any liquid in said liquid supply pipe between said drip cups; and an overflow pipe in each purger so arranged as to deliver excess liquid from said purger to said equalizing tank.

4. A filling apparatus for electrolytic cells comprising an equalizing tank; a float in said tank; a liquid supply pipe; a valve in said liquid supply pipe; means by which said float opens said valve whenever the supply of liquid in said equalizing tank falls below a predetermined value; a plurality of electrolytic cells each in open communication with said equalizing tank; a pair of purgers for each of said cells through which the gases generated must pass; means for passing liquid from said liquid supply pipe to each of said purgers; and overflow means by which any excess of liquid in any of said purgers is delivered to said equalizing tank. 4

5. A filling apparatus for electrolytic cells comprising an equalizing tank; a float in said tank; a. liquid supply pipe; a valve in said liquid supply pipe; means by which said float opens said valve whenever the supply of liquid in said equalizing tank falls below a predetermined value; a plurality of electrolytic cells each in open communication with said equalizing tank; a pair of purgers for each of said cells through which the gases generated must pass; drip cups in open communication with said purgers; means for dividing any liquid in said liquid supply pipe between said drip cups; and

an overflow pipe in each purger so arranged as to deliver excess liquid from said purger to said equalizing tank.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Los Angeles, California, this 2 day of December, 1919.

JOSEPH H. FISCHER. 

